Top Shelf 2012.

Everyone does a "Best of..." The moments that come to mind as the most memorable. But what if you drink too much the night of this memorable moment? Then all memory is lost. Thank goodness for Google and the power of searching via keywords. No thanks to my hungover hippocampus, these are safely some of my top sports moments in 2012 (in no particular order)...

Johnny Manziel. With absolutely no expectations, other than to lose to the big bad bears of the SEC, Texas A&M proved to have an excellent program and shined brightly in 2012. Manziel dominated on the field and was awarded nicely with the Davey O'Brien for his abilities as a quarterback and the Heisman for his role as an excellent collegiate football player. You cannot help but enjoy watching the freshman play. The Cotton Bowl should prove to be another great game showcasing Johnny Football's talents.

Everyone loves the story of redemption. Now throw in a group of women with extraordinary athletic abilities and a gold medal game and you have a memorable redeeming moment. The entire world got to see Alex Morgan, Ally Wambach, Hope Solo, and Carli Lloyd defeat Japan, the World Cup winner, in London.

Linsanity. This was not only a great moment in sports, but a great changing moment in Asian culture. An undrafted Chinese kid from Harvard makes it to the NBA and does it big. While I had my arguments about whether or not he should have been named ESPY's Breakthrough Athlete, he put on an amazing show as a Knick starter and winning 6 straight.

Chuckstrong. Heads shaved, t-shirts worn, banners made...the Colts' rally to defeat the Packers was full of heart and fight. Heart and fight on and off the field. They weren't just playing to the turn the season around, they were playing for their coach.

I don't know golf. I don't know a pitching wedge from a pitcher of beer and a wedge of potato. But I do know that what Bubba Watson did at the Masters was simply amazing. What a shot!

Tebow mania. Similar to Lin's story, it was a moment where the underdog prevailed. The touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas in overtime against the Steelers had people roaring. In that moment, the technically-flawed quarterback had made a statement.

Even those who do not follow women's sports know of Britney Griner. They know she plays basketball, and they know she plays it well. Without actually watching her play, you have no idea how well. At 6 foot 8 inches, Griner dominates both inside and outside the paint. She was the force behind Baylor's Championship and undefeated season.

It was Jordyn Wieber's name going into the Olympics, but it was Gabby Douglas on the medal count at the end. No other women's team had been this stacked since 1996. A lot was expected of this group of girls, and Douglas made it happen by being the first female gymnast to claim the Team and All-Around Gold in the same Olympics. Gabby was everything Graceful and Gold.

And some close runner-ups...

And a personal favorite...

Four months consumed by football. Not just football games - football player stats, injuries, trades. A few minutes each Tuesday night scouting the waiver wire...Sunday mornings spent watching Fantasy Live, reading updated injury reports and hoping there is a Fantasy God on this very day of worship. In a season I felt defeated before it even started, I somehow kept up and managed three fantasy teams. To be crowned League Champion in one, that definitely goes down as one of my finest sports moments.

Thank you, 2012, for another great year in sports.

-bObD.